Latest News

Purevdorj Murun eager for "Olympics for motorsport enthusiasts" with 2025 Dakar Rally entry

By Justin Nguyen

August 28, 2024

2 Mins read

Purevdorj Murun, who has run rally raids across Asia like the Silk Way Rally and Taklimakan Rally, aims to be the sixth Mongolian rider to complete the Dakar Rally in 2025.

Joe Nemechek, Mike Skeen win inaugural NASCAR Classic round at VIR

By Justin Nguyen

August 27, 2024

3 Mins read

NASCAR veteran Joe Nemechek almost swept the first ever HSR NASCAR Classic weekend at Virginia International Raceway, but Mike Skeen and his Adam Petty Dodge Charger claimed the final race.

NASCAR

SRX, Skip Barber sale falls through, lawsuit impending

By Justin Nguyen

August 27, 2024

2 Mins read

Skip Barber Racing School’s acquisition of the Superstar Racing Experience in March failed to close by the end of April. As a result, SRX’s leadership has filed suit against Skip Barber Racing.

World Rally-Raid Championship

Tomasz Bialkowski sweeps Baja Poland on home soil

By Justin Nguyen

August 27, 2024

5 Mins read

When the FIA World Baja Cup came to his native Poland, Tomasz Białkowski showed up and showed out as he won every timed leg in the SSV category.

World Rally-Raid Championship WRC2

Krzysztof Holowczyc has "secret dream" of returning to rally, cross-country sabbatical

By Justin Nguyen

August 25, 2024

2 Mins read

Reigning FIA European Baja Cup champion Krzysztof Hołowczyc is open to taking a 1- or 2-year break from cross-country rally to return to his roots in rallying, particularly racing in WRC Masters alongside those like Petter Solberg and Marcus Grönholm.

World Rally-Raid Championship

"Quite tricky to navigate" Drawsko Pomorskie military range welcomes Baja Poland

By Justin Nguyen

August 24, 2024

2 Mins read

Baja Poland, the 4th round of the FIA World Baja Cup, takes place at Drawsko Pomorskie. Much like other military training grounds that host cross-country rallies, it offers a twisty and challenging route.

World Rally-Raid Championship

Mikolaj Krysik making SSV driving debut at Baja Poland

By Justin Nguyen

August 23, 2024

1 Mins read

Mikołaj Krysik is the newest addition to the Quad-to-SSV pipeline after acquiring a Can-Am Maverick X3, with the Pole’s first race being this weekend’s Baja Poland.

Off Road

Max Eddy Jr., Polaris RZR to race Baja 400 in Class 1

By Justin Nguyen

August 23, 2024

2 Mins read

For the first time in SCORE International history, a UTV will be competing alongside the buggies of Class 1 when Max Eddy Jr. enters his Polaris RZR Pro R Factory at the Baja 400.

Dakar

TRANSCRIPT: TCF Interview with Willem Avenant

By Justin Nguyen

August 22, 2024

17 Mins read

The full transcript of The Checkered Flag’s interview with 2025 Dakar Rally-bound rider Willem Avenant.

Dakar World Rally-Raid Championship

Manuel Andujar to race Morocco, 2025 Dakar Rally in SSV

By Justin Nguyen

August 22, 2024

1 Mins read

Manuel Andújar will return to the Dakar Rally in 2025, albeit in an SSV instead of a Quad. He will also run his first World Rally-Raid Championship round in one at the Rallye du Maroc.

Dakar

Sonora RtD winner Francisco Alvarez set for Dakar Rally debut in 2025

By Justin Nguyen

August 22, 2024

1 Mins read

Francisco Alvarez earned free registration to the Dakar Rally after winning the 2023 Sonora Rally’s Road to Dakar, which he will use to enter the 2025 edition.

World Rally-Raid Championship

Mitsubishi Ralliart on AXCR: "Unfortunate we were unable to win but the Triton was able to fully demonstrate its excellent off-road capabilities"

By Justin Nguyen

August 21, 2024

2 Mins read

The 2024 Asia Cross Country Rally was a bit of a letdown for Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, but the outfit is relatively pleased with how the upgraded Mitsubishi Triton performed in Thailand.

Off Road

Jean-Francois Leclerc: "Vegas to Reno is the perfect proving ground for the Maverick R"

By Justin Nguyen

August 21, 2024

2 Mins read

The highly successful Can-Am Maverick R swept the UTV Turbo Pro podium in its maiden Vegas to Reno, while Josh Row was the fastest UTV overall in his Maverick R.

Dakar Interviews

INTERVIEW: Willem Avenant aims to have "the best time of my life" at first Dakar Rally

By Justin Nguyen

August 21, 2024

19 Mins read

The Checkered Flag sat down with Willem Avenant to discuss his Dakar Rally début in 2025, including the journey to qualify and his Decoding Dakar series to make the road a little easier for aspirants.

Historic Racing NASCAR

Petty's Garage: "Exciting time for classic stock car racing" as NASCAR Classic debut looms

By Justin Nguyen

August 21, 2024

2 Mins read

It is fitting that Petty’s Garage, owned by the legendary Petty family, is the title sponsor of the new NASCAR Classic series for historic stock cars that will début this weekend at Virginia International Raceway.

World Rally-Raid Championship

Triton Ultimate Racing T1+ to debut at Sertoes Rally

By Justin Nguyen

August 21, 2024

2 Mins read

For the 2024 Rally dos Sertões in Brazil, Guiga Spinelli will drive the Mitsubishi Triton Ultimate Racing, marking the first time the manufacturer has a T1+ regulation vehicle.

24 Hours of Le Mans Dakar Films

Alain Delon, Dakar Rally sponsor and Le Mans starter, dies at 88

By Justin Nguyen

August 21, 2024

1 Mins read

Alain Delon, who died Sunday, was the first actor to start the 24 Hour of Le Mans and even sponsored cars there and Paris–Dakar Rally through his perfume line.

Purevdorj Murun eager for "Olympics for motorsport enthusiasts" with 2025 Dakar Rally entry

Joe Nemechek, Mike Skeen win inaugural NASCAR Classic round at VIR

SRX, Skip Barber sale falls through, lawsuit impending

Tomasz Bialkowski sweeps Baja Poland on home soil

Krzysztof Holowczyc has "secret dream" of returning to rally, cross-country sabbatical

"Quite tricky to navigate" Drawsko Pomorskie military range welcomes Baja Poland

Mikolaj Krysik making SSV driving debut at Baja Poland

Max Eddy Jr., Polaris RZR to race Baja 400 in Class 1

TRANSCRIPT: TCF Interview with Willem Avenant

Manuel Andujar to race Morocco, 2025 Dakar Rally in SSV

Sonora RtD winner Francisco Alvarez set for Dakar Rally debut in 2025

Mitsubishi Ralliart on AXCR: "Unfortunate we were unable to win but the Triton was able to fully demonstrate its excellent off-road capabilities"

Jean-Francois Leclerc: "Vegas to Reno is the perfect proving ground for the Maverick R"

INTERVIEW: Willem Avenant aims to have "the best time of my life" at first Dakar Rally

Petty's Garage: "Exciting time for classic stock car racing" as NASCAR Classic debut looms

Triton Ultimate Racing T1+ to debut at Sertoes Rally

Alain Delon, Dakar Rally sponsor and Le Mans starter, dies at 88

Support Driven by Diversity

A Farewell Message from The Checkered Flag

Irwindale Speedway to close, hosting final events in December

2024 Baja 1000: Wouter-jan Van Dijk set for second attempt

Barbora Holicka, Duckar to fly again at Dakar Classic in 2025

Greg Gilson to race Qatar International Baja on 1980 Honda XLS 125